SLMC for non-contiguous territorial autonomy for Muslims - Hakeem

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 October 2005, 16:28 GMT]
Mr.Rauff Hakeem, Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Sunday said in Trincomalee that SLMC is for "non-contiguous autonomy" for Muslim territory in the northeast province, which recognizes Muslims right to self-determination. "The SLMC reached an understanding after several rounds of talks with the United National Party (UNP)," said Rauf Hakeem addressing an election rally in Jamaliya Nagar, a suburb north of Trincomalee town Sunday evening in support of Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe for Sri Lanka presidency.
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LTTE, SLMM meet in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 October 2005, 16:22 GMT]
Mr.S.Elilan, Trincomalee district political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Monday brought to the notice of the members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) in the east port town, several ceasefire violations by the State armed forces in the district, LTTE sources said.
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Rifles, grenades seized in Batticaloa - SL Police

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 October 2005, 15:48 GMT]
Police sources in Batticaloa said that the Sri Lanka Army had seized two T-56 rifles, six grenades and a 9 mm pistol in the search conducted by the Sri Lanka Army in Batticaloa Monday.
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Grenade attack on Police in Jaffna, one killed, 3 wounded

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 October 2005, 14:49 GMT]
A Policeman was killed and three were injured near Kandarmadam Junction on Palaly Road, 2 km north of Jaffna town, Monday around 7.00 p.m. Unidentified men lobbed a grenade on a Police Jeep killing its driver and wounding the three policemen.
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Japan gifts $1.3m medical equipment to hospitals

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 October 2005, 12:49 GMT]
Government of Japan handed over Rs. 130 million worth of Medical Equipment to improve the healthcare facilities in 33 hospitals in tsunami affected areas, a press release from Embassy of Japan issued in Colombo today said.
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SLMM condemns Meedin killing

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 October 2005, 12:15 GMT]
In a press release issued Monday, the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) condemned the killing of Lieutenant Colonel Meedin in Colombo Saturday and urged "the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to work together to end the violence in the country so that the confidence between the two Parties can be restored and the Peace Process continued."
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EU, Election Commissioner discuss NorthEast poll arrangements

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 October 2005, 11:54 GMT]
A delegation from the European Union Election Observation Mission led by Mr. Cushnahan and accompanied by the Head of the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka, Ambassador Julian Wilson, and by the EU EOM Election Expert Ms. Idoia Aranceta met the Election Commissioner today, at 11.30 am at the Election Secretariat. Issues related to polling arrangements in NorthEast was one of the main issues discussed in the meeting, a press release from EOM issued in Colombo Monday said.
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SLA rounds up thousand young men, women in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 October 2005, 11:50 GMT]
More than one thousand young men and women from areas of Mamankam, Jayanthipuram, Iruthayapuram and Urani, some popular and heavily populated suburbs of Batticaloa town were herded into common grounds by the Sri Lankan Military personnel in a cordon and search operation that was launched Monday early morning at 4:00 a.m. Masked paramilitary cadres wearing military uniforms assisted the Sri Lanka army personnel to round up the Tamil youth and parade them to common grounds for identification.
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Puthur East villagers demand safety, resettlement

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 October 2005, 11:30 GMT]
Hundreds of men and women residents displaced from near Annamar Kovil Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camp and others protesting the killing and injuring of civilians by the SLA soldiers on Friday marched from Nallur Temple outer perimeter to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) offices in Temple Road, Nallur at 12.30 p.m. and demanded security for them to resettle in their homes. Protesters shouted slogans against the conduct of the members of the SLMM on Friday and urged them to take action to immediately to resettle them.
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Two SLA soldiers wounded in grenade attack in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 October 2005, 06:24 GMT]
Two Sri Lanka Army soldiers were seriously wounded when unidentified men riding in a motorbike lobbed a grenaded into a SLA sentry in Thiraimadu, 5 km east of Batticaloa town around 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
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Day of mourning in Jaffna concludes without incidents

[TamilNet, Monday, 31 October 2005, 02:56 GMT]
Residents in Jaffna district observed a day of mourning Sunday called by the Tamil National Resurgence Consortium to pay respect to Nirojan Tharmarajah (20) killed by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fire and to the several civilians injured during the rape protest at the outside the Puthur East Vaharavathai SLA camp on Friday. Nirojan funeral was also held Sunday, sources in Jaffna said.
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New resettlement village in Puliyankulam celebrates opening

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 October 2005, 17:25 GMT]
Thirty two war affected families from refugee camps in Adapankulam, Poonthottam, Sithamparapuram and Manik Farm in Chettikulam moved Sunday morning at 10 a.m into a new resettlement village in Puliyankulam North built by Tamil Rehabilitaion Organization with funding support from NewZealand Tamil expatriates, sources in Kilinochchi said. The families were selected as the most poor and deserving of those languishing in the different refugee camps.
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Grenade attack in Jaffna, two policemen, soldier wounded

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 October 2005, 16:48 GMT]
Unidentified men riding in a motorbike lobbed a grenade into a Sri Lankan police post located in front of the Kondavil post office, seriously wounding two policemen and a Sri Lanka Army soldier. The incident took place around 10:00 p.m. Sunday. The policemen were rushed to Jaffna Hospital in serious condition. The soldier was rushed to Palaly Military Hospital.
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Masked motorbike troopers cordon, search Pottuvil

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 October 2005, 16:16 GMT]
Masked motorbike-unit-soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army cordoned off and searched Pottuvil town and its suburbs Kundumadu and Kallaiyapattai Sunday evening. The soldiers searched the households and the residents in gunpoint for 4 hours from 5:00 p.m., residents said. The soldiers were wearing black masks.
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Grenade attack in Batticaloa, mother, daughter wounded

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 October 2005, 15:36 GMT]
A 32-years-old mother and her 16-years-old daughter were injured when two unidentified motorbike-riding men lobbed a grenade into their house located on Sea Road behind the Special Task Force (STF) camp in Aryampathy, 6 km south of Batticaloa. The incident took place at 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
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Grenade attack on SLA vehicle in Mirusuvil

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 October 2005, 15:11 GMT]
Two unknown assailants who followed a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) truck in a motorbike hurled a hand grenade into the vehicle near Mirusuvil junction in Thenmaradchy, Jaffna district Sunday 6.30 pm. Unconfirmed reports said the explosion injured atleast two SLA soldiers riding in the vehicle. The Palaly SLA command has not reported on the incident.
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NPC urges NorthEast Tamils to vote

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 October 2005, 12:26 GMT]
Media Director of the Sri Lanka National Peace Council (NPC), Dr.Jehan Perera, Saturday appealed to the Tamil people vote for a candidate who could promote peaceful political solution to the ethnic problem and not to boycott the presidential election. He was addressing a seminar on "North-South Dialogue for Rebuilding of Sri Lankan Democratic Institutions," held at the Media Research and Training Centre of the Jaffna University.
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Deep penetration group retreats using human shield - LTTE

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 October 2005, 09:24 GMT]
A Liberation Tigers cadre was killed when the Tigers launched a counter attack on a Deep Penetrating group of armed operatives who had moved 5 km into LTTE controlled Vaharai area Sunday at 4:50 a.m., Batticaloa Commanding Office spokesman of the LTTE, S. Theeralan, told media. The paramilitary group retreated with the dead and wounded, leaving behind a GPS device, communications equipments and explosives. The group used civilian captives in the village as human-shield to withdraw from the site, Theeran told media Sunday morning.
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Senior Intelligence officer shot dead in Colombo

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 October 2005, 02:44 GMT]
A high ranking Sri Lankan Military Intelligence officer, Lt. Col. T. Rizvi Meedin, shot by unknown gunmen Saturday around 10:30 p.m. and rushed in an unconscious state to the Colombo Hospital, succumbed to his injuries at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, Police said. The intelligence officer, attached to the Military Intelligence Corps (MIC) in Colombo, was shot in his head while he was returning home in his car.
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Somalian sea pirates release Sri Lankan captive

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 October 2005, 13:05 GMT]
Selvathurai Mahalingam (58), captain of a Kenyan ship, who had been detained by a group of Somalian sea pirates for 101 days was released and returned to Sri Lanka on Friday (October 28th). The ship had been seized close to the waters of Somalia, Mr.Mahalingam told TamilNet.
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Palmyrah Handicraft center opens in Pallai

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 October 2005, 11:45 GMT]
A center for training unemployed women and youths in handicrafts from Palmyrah produce was opened in Maazar village in Pallai administrative district last week for a cost of Rs 460,000 funded by International Labor Organization (ILO) and local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), co-ordinated by Palmyrah Development Board and the Economic Consultancy House (TECH), sources from Pallai said.
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Rice mill worker shot dead in Akkaraipattu

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 October 2005, 10:11 GMT]
Two unidentified gunman riding in a motorbike shot and killed Mr. H.G.M Abeyaratna, 38, a rice mil worker at Kolavil, 2 km south of Akkaraipattu town, Saturday at 9:30 a.m. The rice mill worker, a Sinhalese from Akurana in Kandy, married to a Tamil woman and a father of a child, was residing at Kannakipuram Refugee Camp wheh he was shot, Police said the motive for the killing was not clear.
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Grenade lobbed at SLA checkpost in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 October 2005, 09:46 GMT]
Two motorbike-riding men lobbed a hand grenade into a Sri Lanka Army post located in front of Narikkundu kulam on Rakka Road in Jaffna around 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Sri Lanka Army said. The grenade fell into their bunker, the SLA sources added. No casualties were reported. Additional troops and riot police were deployed at the site following the incident, civilian sources said.
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Confrontation avoided as SLA lifts Thandikulam travel restrictions

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 October 2005, 02:55 GMT]
Tension between Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers manning the Thandikulam checkpoint and civilian escalated Friday as SLA soldiers blocked attendees to the Vavuniay Resurgence Convention to travel north into Vanni and youths who were prevented from attending the convention setup blockade across A9 north of SLA checkpoint, passengers affected by the blockade said.
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Convention for eradication of Violence Against Women held

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 October 2005, 01:56 GMT]
More than fifteen hundred men and women from Kilinochchi and surrounding areas convened in Karunai Nilayam in Kilinochchi town Thursday at 3.00 to discuss issues related to "Violence Against Women," and to make a declaration to eradicate violence in all forms against women. District offices of OXFAM helped organize the convention, sources said.
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Amparai to hold Resurgence Convention

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 October 2005, 17:06 GMT]
The final event in the series of Tamil National Resurgence Convention is to be held in Amparai district in the east at the Thambiluvil Maha Vidiyalayam grounds on November 12, organizers said. Mr.Kanagasabai Pathmanathan, Amparai district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian, has been visiting villages in Amparai to conduct consultative meetings with local Tamil activists, sources said.
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US, SriLanka sign MoU on combating terrorism

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 October 2005, 17:02 GMT]
Government of Sri lanka and the United States of America signed a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) in Colombo Thursday to assist Sri Lanka to enhance its abilities to fight terrorism and to strengthen the co-operation between the two countries in tackling international terrorism, diplomatic sources said.
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Puthur youth shot by SLA, dies

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 October 2005, 16:52 GMT]
Nirojan Tharmarajah (20), injured by SLA gunfire and shrapnel from grenades charged by the SLA soldiers Friday evening outside the Puthur East Vaharavathai SLA camp, succumbed to the injuries at 8.45 p.m. For more than an hour SLA blocked an ambulance that came to pickup the injured including Tharmarajah to Atchuvely hospital. Tharmarajah and two others with gunshot injuries were later transferred to Jaffna Teaching Hospital.
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EU missions in jeopardy, if Colombo ignores recommendations- Cushnahan

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 October 2005, 11:37 GMT]
Mr John Cushnahan, head of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM) to Sri Lanka warned Friday if the Sri Lankan government did not implement its recommendations it had made during its three previous missions to Sri Lanka, the EU is likely to reject any future requests from Sri Lanka for election observation, during a packed press conference in Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo.
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SLA fires at Puthur protesters, seven injured

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 October 2005, 11:28 GMT]
Seven Tamil civilians injured and four of them were admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital Friday evening following the shooting by soldiers of the SLA at Puttur junction at the angry crowd which pelted stones and threw a petrol bomb at the army sentry around 3.30 p.m. The crowd later is alleged to have set fire to an army vehicle, sources said. SLA soldiers fired at least 250 gunshots to bring the situation under their control. Monitors of the SLMM arrived at the site at 12.15 and remained there until late evening, Helen Olafsdottir of SLMM has told TamilNet.
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NESOHR conducts Rights workshop

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 October 2005, 10:45 GMT]
North East Secretariat on Human Rights (NESOHR), a rights organization led by Rev.Fr Karunaratnam, operating in the NorthEast, held a workshop on human rights issues for school prinicipals, teachers and students at the Puthukkudiyiruppu High School auditoriam Thursday, sources in Mullaithivu said.
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Villagers foil SLA rape attempt, Puthur tense, protesters beaten

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 October 2005, 04:56 GMT]
Villagers from Puthur East, 13 km north-east of Jaffna, protested in front of a camp of the SLA's 511 Division Friday morning after foiling an alleged rape attempt by a Sri Lanka Army soldier who entered a house at 3:00 a.m. Three soldiers in civilian dress were chased by the neighbours who rushed to the house upon hearing the women shout, sources said. The soldiers ran into the SLA camp, according to the protesting villagers. At least six protestors were wounded. Riot police and additional troops were deployed at the site. SLA soldiers opened fire when protesting youth burnt a checkpost at the camp. Many villagers have fled the area, sources said.
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Maharouf appointed NEPC Agriculture Secretary

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 October 2005, 23:33 GMT]
Mr. A.R.M.Maharouf, an experienced agronomist and Director at Socio-Economics and Planning Centre (SEPC), was appointed Secretary to the North East Provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Land with effect from October 26 by North East Provincial Governor Mr.Tyronne Fernando, at an event held at the provincial secretariat in Trincomalee town Wednesday evening.
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SLBC news director assaulted by chairman's security guards

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 October 2005, 18:05 GMT]
The Free Media Movement (FMM) on Thursday condemned the physical assault on Mr. Raja Katugampola, news director of the state-controlled Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), by the SLBC chairman's private security guards. The assault took place Wednesday in the chairman's office. Mr. Katugampola was later admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo.
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Resurgence event emphasizes Vavuniya Declaration, urges EU to reconsider stand

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 October 2005, 18:04 GMT]
Thousands of people gathered in Vavuniya Urban Council grounds Thursday at 3:30 p.m. to reaffirm July 27 Vavuniya Declaration. Tamil National Alliance parliamentarians, academics, religious leaders and social activists attended the event which also urged the European Union to reconsider its stand on travel restrictions on Liberation Tigers officials on visiting EU member states. Vavuniya was the venue of the initial Tamil National Resurgence Conference that proclaimed that an environment must be created to enable Tamils to decide their political destiny calling for the Sri Lankan Armed forces to vacate the land and seas of NorthEast.
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LTTE invites poets to compose Thamileelam national anthem

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 October 2005, 15:40 GMT]
An invitation has been extended to "Tamil bards and minstrels with patriotic fervor" to compose a Thamileelam national anthem. The invitation to the poets in the Northeast and among the Tamil diaspora came in an announcement by the Media Unit of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), from its base in Kilinochchi, Thursday. Poets are given time till November 27th, the Tamil Eelam Martyrs Remembrance Day, to give final touches to their composition.
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Dhammaloka Thera extends support to Wickremasinghe

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 October 2005, 15:20 GMT]
Venerable Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera, the former General Secretary of the Sinhala extremist Buddhist Monks party opposed to the Cease Fire Agreement and the Post-Tsunami Jonit Mechanism deal, has extended his personal support as an independent parliamentarian to the Sri Lankan opposition leader and the presidential candidate, Mr. Ranil Wickramsinghe Thursday. Dhammaloka Thera said that he has signed an agreement of 13 proposals with Wickremesinghe on safeguarding the state religion Buddhism, and addressing to several key issues in the country. He informed about his decision to support Wickramsinghe at a press briefing held at the J. R. Jeyawardene Centre in Colombo.
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"Ignore Sri Lankan elections," says Students Association in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 October 2005, 14:33 GMT]
In an appeal to the Tamil people, the Students’ Association of Higher Educational Institutions, Jaffna District, has warned Tamil voters not to be "hoodwinked" by promises of the Sri Lankan Presidential candidates. The organisation has argued that a Tamil vote would imply that the Tamils still trust the Sinhala leaders to resolve the Tamil conflict. In an appeal issued Thursday evening from Jaffna, the Students Association asked Tamils to be wary of the election promises the candidates are making from their election propaganda platforms.
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Three-wheeler driver shot dead in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 October 2005, 09:06 GMT]
Unidentified men Thursday noon shot dead the driver of a three wheeler at Kannagipuram in Orr's Hill, suburb in Trincomalee town. The dead has been identified as Mr.Anura Abeyaratne aged 24 a Sinhalese, and a resident of Sumedhagama, a suburb of the east port town, Trincomalee Police said.
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Wickremasinghe challenges Rajapakse on CFA

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 October 2005, 00:16 GMT]
Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, United National Party presidential candidate challenged his rival Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse to cancel the Cease Fire Agreement (CFA) by giving fifteen days' notice to the Norwegian government instead of accusing him (Ranil) for signing the CFA. Mr Wickremasinghe issued the challenge when he addressed an election rally in Elpitiya, south of Colombo Tuesday evening, sources said.
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Gopi released, Court denies protection

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 October 2005, 00:01 GMT]
Ms Sarojini Kusala Weerawardene, Colombo Chief Magistrate Wednesday ordered the release of Mr.Kathiramalai Vaitheehan alias Gopi alias Veerapandiyan who was remanded on reports from the Jaffna police that he was involved in the abduction and murder of Mr. Charles Wijewardene, Jaffna Senior Superintendent of Police, at Inuvil in Jaffna district on 4th August 2005, legal sources said.
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Mahinda Rajapakse addresses rallies in Trinco, Kantalai, Kinniya

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 October 2005, 17:18 GMT]
Prime Minister Mr. Mahinda Rajapakse, presidential candidate of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Wednesday addressed election rallies in the towns of Trincomalee, Kinniya and Kantalai in the district. Mr.Wimal Weeravanse, parliamentary group leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna accompanied him, sources said.
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European Commission to monitor SL presidential poll

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 October 2005, 17:06 GMT]
Following an invitation from the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) the European Commission is sending a European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the presidential election scheduled to take place on November 17th. The EU EOM will be led by Mr.John Cushnahan, member of the European parliament, said a press release of the EU.
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Vavuniya prepares for concluding resurgence event, grenade explodes

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 October 2005, 11:26 GMT]
Unidentified men lobbed a hand grenade inside compound of the Tamil National Resurgence committee Wednesday afternoon around 4:30 p.m. No one was injured in the explosion. Witnesses said that two men who lobbed the grenade escaped in a motorbike. The incident happened while Vavuniya residents are making preparations for the third month anniversary celebrations of the 27 July 2005 Vavuniya Proclamation.
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Sri Lanka Army Commander receives two year extension

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 October 2005, 08:45 GMT]
SL Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shantha Kottegoda has been granted an extension in office till June, 31, 2007 by out going President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Tuesday.
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Tamil Consortium complains to SLMM

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 October 2005, 08:37 GMT]
Trincomalee District Tamil Peoples' Consortium (TDTPC) made a complaint to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Commission against "high-handed action" of the Sri Lanka armed forces in down-town, Trincomalee on 24 October around 3.00 p.m. TDTPC has stated that a group of unidentified persons had assaulted and humiliated two foreigners in the presence of Sri Lankan armed forces for taking photographs of the controversial Buddha-Statue in Trincomalee. The provocative action took place in the vicinity of the Trincomalee bus stand, where the controversial statue, much to the protest of the local people, was erected a few months earlier.
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Weerawanse eyes Prime Minister post, says Anura Bandaranaike

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 October 2005, 19:57 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister and the prime ministerial candidate of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Mr. Anura Bandaranaike, has sought help from his sister and the incumbant President of Sri Lanka, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, to thwart an alleged attempt by a section of SLFP to appoint Mr. Wimal Weerawanse as the candidate for the Prime Minister portfolio if Rajapakse is elected as President of Sri Lanka, SLFP sources said. Weerawanse is the propaganda secretary of the Sinhala nationalist extremist Janatha Vimukthi Permuna (JVP).
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Trinco Inner Wheel Club assists war, tsunami victims

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 October 2005, 16:21 GMT]
The Trincomalee Inner Wheel Club, women wing of the Rotary Movement handed over sewing machines and livelihood assistance to war widows and tsunami victims under income generating project at an event held at the Trincomalee Rotary House. SCOT, a non-governmental organization in United Kingdom funded the project.
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ACHR exposes Bindunuweva massacre report

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 October 2005, 16:17 GMT]
The New Delhi based Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) released details in a confidential report of Sri Lankan Presidential Commission on the Inquiry into the Bindunuwewa massacre. The organisation released details Tuesday on the fifth anniversary of the massacre of Tamil inmates in the Sri Lankan jail in Bindunuwewa. The ACHR said it had obtained a copy of the confidential report that has not been made public although SL President Kumaratunga's term as President comes to an end. Twenty-eight Tamil youth between the ages of 14-23 years were massacred while 14 other Tamil youths were seriously injured by Sinhala mobs and Sri Lanka police on 25 October 2000.
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Tamileelam court extends remand for Sri Lanka Policemen

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 October 2005, 12:56 GMT]
Tamileelam courts in Kilinochchi Monday rejected bail offer for three Sri Lanka policemen who are being held in custody for entering LTTE controlled areas without prior permission and ordered further investigations into their activities. The case was heard before Ms Sadhana, District Judge, Monday morning in Kilinochchi, under Act 94 of the Criminal Code of Tamileelam Courts.
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Mother, child nutritional center opened in Pattalipuram

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 October 2005, 11:39 GMT]
The first Day Care Centre for Mother-Child built at a cost of about 1.5 million rupees was declared open Monday in Iththikulam- Pattalipuram in the Muttur east area in Trincomalee district. The Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) through its Trincomalee district secretariat has implemented this project with the funding of Tamil expatriates. The center provides nutritious food and health care for malnourished pregnant mothers and children, TRO officials said.
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Tsunami-hit fishermen neglected by NGOs, says Jaffna federation

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 October 2005, 03:59 GMT]
Most of the national and international non-governmental organizations which came forward to provide assistance as soon as tusnami hit the northern coast have now withdrawn from the scene without restoring normalcy in the lives of tsunami affected people, alleged Mr.K.Thavaratnam, President of Jaffna District Fisheries Societies' Federation at a press briefing held Monday at the consortium office. Only one permanent house has been constructed up to now in Jaffna district for tsunami-affected fishermen, he said.
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SL President, Opposition Leader meet

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 October 2005, 17:03 GMT]
"Both agreed on the importance of all major political parties working together in order to resolve the country's most troubled issue, that of war and peace," said a press release issued by the Presidential House after the meeting with Sri lanka's President Ms Kumaratunge and the Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe on Monday.
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Policeman shot, wounded in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 October 2005, 14:44 GMT]
Motorbike-riding gunmen followed and shot a Sri Lanka Police constable who was on his way to his post at Jeyanthipuram in Batticaloa. The incident took place around 4:30 p.m. Monday near St. Anthony's Church in Karuvepankerny, 4 km north of Batticaloa.
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Tamil representatives, Legal experts meet EU officials

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 October 2005, 11:16 GMT]
Francis Boyle, professor of international law at the University of Illinois and a leading practitioner and advocate of international law, Mr. V. Rudrakumaran, an attorney of law based in New York, U.S, and a legal advisor to the Tamil delegation at the peace negotiations, met a high level delegation of European Commission External Relations officials on Monday at 2:00 p.m. in Brussels following the Tamil diaspora rally, sources in Brussels told TamilNet.
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TNA, SLMM meet in Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 October 2005, 10:40 GMT]
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians Sivanathan Kishor , Sivasakthi Ananthan and Vino Noharathalingam met with Vavuniya Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) at the Vavuniya SLMM offices Monday morning, sources in Vavuniya said. The discussion centered on the National Resurgence Event scheduled to take place on the 27th of this month.
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Two civilians wounded in grenade attack in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 October 2005, 07:23 GMT]
Two motorbike-riding men Sunday evening lobbed a grenade in front of a shop near Batticaloa Railway station wounding two civilians, Batticaloa police said. The incident took place on Boundary Road at 7.25 p.m.
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CitiHope, first recipient of TRO-USA's Katrina fund

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 October 2005, 02:27 GMT]
CitiHope International, an Andes, New York, based humanitarian relief and development service agency is the first recipient of Katrina relief donation from the Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO-USA), President Dr Ranjithan told TamilNet. "We chose CitiHope, as members of TRO's Board of Directors have noted its impressive work in Sri Lanka's tsunami effort and also the organization has a low, less than 1%, operational overhead," Dr Ranjithan said.
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Media speculation on cause of UAV crash rebuffed

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 October 2005, 00:05 GMT]
Media reports that the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) belonging to Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) that came down in Vanni on 19 October was downed either by radar-guided gun or by an air-borne attack by the Liberation Tigers were mere speculations not backed up by concrete evidence, experts contacted by TamilNet said. A Virginia (US) based science journalist who covers UAV developments, rebuffed a report that quoted a Sri Lanka Air Force official as saying: "engine failure, generator failure and communications failure warning messages appearing simultaneously at Ground control indicated sudden destruction of the UAV caused by enemy action."
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Thousands to attend rally near EU Secretariat in Brussels

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 October 2005, 20:59 GMT]
Thousands of diaspora Tamils in Europe are expected to participate in Eluthamil (Tamil uprising) rally near the European Union (EU) Secretariat Monday noon "to express solidarity with the Tamil people in NorthEast homeland in their search for peace with justice, and to urge EU to recognize Tamils right to self-determination and not to impose unilateral punitive measures on Tamils' only politico-military force, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam," according to organizers. More than 150 coaches will transport around 10,000 participants from European countries, mainly from Germany, France, Switzerland and the Netherlands, to Brussels, Belgium on Monday for the rally, organizers added.
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Swiss Tamils organize Heroes Day Elocution Contest

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 October 2005, 13:25 GMT]
Students of Tamil schools in Switzerland will compete in a country wide elecution contest organized by Education Service Unit of Tamils to commemorate the Heroes Day. Organizers have selected the topics related to Tamil History and Culture for students competing in eight different age groups. Regional winners will compete in the finals to held in Zurich on 20 November, organizers said.
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Mannar hospital suffers from nurse shortage

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 October 2005, 12:23 GMT]
112 positions out of 147 positions for full time staffing positions for nurses still remain vacant at the Mannar government district hospital, and the hospital is currently functioning with only 35 nurses, hospital officials said. Providing effective medical service to patients warded in the hospital has become extremely difficult, said Mr.Selvam Adaikalanathan, Wanni district parliamentarian said in a letter the Director General of health Services of the Ministry of Health.
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Lt.Col.Sekhar's fifth anniversary commemorated in Kilinochchi

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 October 2005, 11:58 GMT]
The fifth death anniversary of Lt Col Sekhar, a special commander attached to the Charles Antony Special Brigade, was commemorated on Sunday with a Memorial Volley Ball tournament followed by a cultural event held at the premises of the Charles Antony Memorial builidng located near the Kovinthan Junction Kilinochchchi, sources in Kilinochchi said. Lt Col Sekhar succumbed to the wounds received during the Unceasing Waves-4 (Oyatha Alaigal) battle on the 23 October 2000.
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Electricity outages irk Mannar residents

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 October 2005, 11:22 GMT]
Frequent outages of electricity supply in Mannar and its suburbs are hurting residents and economic activity in Mannar, and industrialists are complaining that frequent breakdown and fluctuation in the supply are damaging industrial machinery, Mr.Selvam Adaikalanathan, Wanni district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian said in a memorandum sent to the Minister of Power and Energy, Mr Susil Premajayantha.
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CTTU to meet Education Secretary, postpones strike

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 October 2005, 11:08 GMT]
The Ceylon Tamil Teachers' Union (CTTU) Sunday announced that it has postponed the strike scheduled to commence on Monday 24 October as Dr. Tara de Mel, Secretary of Education, has agreed to meet a four member CTTU delegation at the Colombo Education Ministry on Wednesday 26th October, CTTU General Secretary Mr.T.Mahasivam said.
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Three children, SLA soldier injured in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 October 2005, 07:58 GMT]
Three children were injured in Batticaloa Sunday morning when Sri Lanka Army soldiers opened fire on gunmen who fired at SLA soldiers manning a sentry wounding one soldier. The incident took place around 8:45 a.m. The soldiers were manning a sentry point at the Zahira College on Rosario Road, 2 km north of Batticloa town. The children were refugees stationed in the refugee camp at the Zahira College, civilian sources said.
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Foundation laid for Chavakachcheri children medical unit

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 October 2005, 07:56 GMT]
Mr.Kyagama, Director of the Foundation for International Development Relief (FIDR) and Mr.K.Ganesh, Jaffna's Government Agent Saturday laid the foundation stone for children medical unit in the Chavakachcheri hospital. The unit is to be constructed at a cost 2 million rupees funded by the FIDR based in Japan, health department sources said.
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Jaffna fishermen demand removal of restrictions

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 October 2005, 15:50 GMT]
Representatives of Jaffna district fishermen unions, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) officers including Jaffna Military Commander Major General Sunil Tennekoon met at the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) office in Nallur Jaffna Saturday at 3 p.m. in an effort to resolve the hardships faced by Jaffna fishermen due to the pass system, lack of light house facilities and the restriction on fishing times, sources in Jaffna said.
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Clustered Polling booths to be located 500 meters from SLA checkpoint

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 October 2005, 11:16 GMT]
Jaffna district Government Agent (GA), Mr K Ganesh, in a meeting with election officials and officers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) held at the Secretariat offices Friday, informed that the Election Commissioner has directed him to arrange clustered polling booths near Muhamalai area to allow the voters in the Liberation Controlled areas in Vanni district to exercise their franchise, sources from Jaffna said. Unlike in the previous elections, the polling booths are to be located 500 meters away from the Muhamalai Sri Lanka Army (SLA) checkpoint towards Eluthumattuval direction, he added.
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Trincomalee Declaration demands SL troops to vacate NorthEast

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 October 2005, 08:28 GMT]
Tamil speaking people in large numbers from north, west and south of the Trincomalee district attended the Tamil National Resurgence Convention held Saturday morning in the Playground located along the Inner Harbour Road in the east port city which is controlled by the Sri Lanka Army. Co-ordinating Committee of the Tamil national Resurgence in Trincomalee District, in the declaration, demanded the Sri Lanka troops to vacate the NorthEast land and seas and declared that the rally "demonstrates to the international community the thirst for freedom of the Tamil nation."
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SLA allows limited cultivation in Thenmaradchi HSZ lands

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 October 2005, 04:52 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Friday morning handed over a portion of agricultural lands in Thanankilappu in Thenmaradchy Jaffna coming within the purview of high security zone of Thenmaradchchi south division in Jaffna district for cultivation. Farmers who have obtained prior permission from the SLA will be allowed daily to the agricultural lands within the stipulated time, according to the restriction imposed by the SLA, civil sources said.
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Civilians given military training in Vadamaradchchi east

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 October 2005, 04:49 GMT]
The passing out parade of 6th batch of civilians from Vaththirayan village in the Vadamaradchchi east belonging to the Lt.Colonel Maravan Training Camp of the Tamileelam Navy was held Thursday night in the presence of Colonel Soosai, Special Commander of the Thamileelam Navy, LTTE sources in Jaffna said.
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TNA headquarters opened in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 October 2005, 17:16 GMT]
The headquarters of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) was declared open Friday evening in Trincomalee town on the eve of the Trincomalee National Tamil Resurgence Convention to be held on Saturday morning. Mr.Mavai Senathirajah, Jaffna district TNA parliamentarian lit the flame of sacrifice. Mr.R.Sampanthan, TNA parliamentary group leader hoisted the Thamileelam national flag and Mr.Jospeh Pararajasingham, TNA National List parliamentarian unveiled the name board of the headquarters.
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Tamileelam Police opens inquiry office in Pallai

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 October 2005, 17:12 GMT]
Tamileelam Police Friday opened a new office in LTTE controlled Pallai area enabling the Jaffna district residents to settle disputes. Mr.Naga Paramanathan, acting head of the Jaffna District Inquiry Unit of the Tamileelam Police said people could seek the services of the newly opened office to settle civil disputes, sources said.
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Jaffna daily assails "Mahinda Doctrine"

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 October 2005, 11:39 GMT]
Mr Mahinda Rajapakse has brought the Sinhala approach to resolving the Tamil National question a full circle by rejecting the concepts of Tamil home land, right to self determination, federal solution, and the P-TOMS, and re-affirming Tamils belief that the Sinhala south is incapable of shedding the chauvinist mindset, said the editorial of the popular Jaffna Tamil daily 'Uthayan' in its Thursday edition.
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Massacre anniversary commemorated in Jaffna Hospital

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 October 2005, 11:18 GMT]
Eighteenth death anniversary of twenty-one persons including medical specialists, nurses, attendants, patients and members of public who were massacred inside Jaffna Teaching Hospital (JTH) by Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) troops stationed in Jaffna Fort on 21st October, 1987 was held at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital Friday, sources in Jaffna said. Deputy Director of the Hospital, R Raviraj, presided the event.
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American NGO funded pre-school opened in Kallady

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 October 2005, 05:53 GMT]
A pre-school constructed with the funding of 'Room to Read', a US based non-governmental organization at a cost of 1.6 million rupees was declared open at Kallady, a remote fishing hamlet in the Eachchilampathu division in Trincomalee district. Newly constructed Kalaimagal pre-school is to cater to the educational needs of about 150 children under the age five. The implementing partner of the project is Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO).
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UN agencies briefed on Trinco resurgence convention

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 October 2005, 00:11 GMT]
Mr.R.Sampanthan, leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Thursday morning briefed the representatives of the UN agencies, international non-governmental organizations, and the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) working in Trincomalee district on the reasons for holding the Tamil National Resurgence Convention on October 22 in the east port city.
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Norwegian Tamils march for peace

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 October 2005, 19:41 GMT]
More than one thousand Norwegian Tamils participated in a march carrying torches in the Norwegian capital Oslo Thursday evening. The demonstration, organised by a task group of ten Norwegian Tamil organisations and held in "Pongu Thamil" fashion, urged Norway to promote neutrality in the Sri Lankan peace process that has attracted the attention and involvement of several members of the International community.
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ITRO warns peace building disrupted by smears, attacks

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 October 2005, 11:37 GMT]
The International Tamil Rehabilitation Organisation (ITRO) has written to Sri Lanka's President Chandrika Kumaratunga protesting her government’s role in a propaganda campaign against its organisation and physical intimidation of its aid workers.
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18th anniversary of IPKF Hospital massacre to be held

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 October 2005, 11:26 GMT]
Eighteenth death anniversary of twenty-one persons including medical specialists, nurses, attendants, patients and members of public who were massacred inside Jaffna Teaching Hospital (JTH) by Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) troops stationed in Jaffna Fort on 21st October, 1987 is to be observed Friday in the hospital premises, civil sources said.
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US Ambassador meets SLMM, SLA in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 October 2005, 11:02 GMT]
Mr.Jeffry Lunstead, US Ambassador in Sri Lanka, paid a one-day visit to Trincomalee town Wednesday and held discussions with Trincomalee heads of State armed forces and Police and the members of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) based in the east port town. His Secretary, Defense Attache and Political Affairs Secretary accompanied him, diplomatic sources said.
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EPDP courts volunteer teachers for election support

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 October 2005, 10:41 GMT]
Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) met with volunteer teachers at their Head Quarters in Jaffna located in the Sridhar theater Thursday morning and solicited their cooperation to do election propaganda on EPDP's behalf supporting the presidency of Mahinda Rajapakse, sources in Jaffna said.
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Education Council supports Trinco Resurgence Convention

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 October 2005, 10:28 GMT]
The Council for Advancement of Education of Trincomalee District (CAETD) Thursday issued a statement appealing to all students, parents and intelligentsia to attend the Tamil National Resurgence Convention (TNRC) scheduled to be held on Saturday in the east port town in full strength. "The Convention is being held to echo the legitimate aspirations of Tamil people to the international community and other parties concerned that Tamil people cannot be deprived of their right to self determination" said the statement.
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Muslim man shot dead in Akkaraipattu

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 October 2005, 07:46 GMT]
Two motorbike-riding gunmen shot and killed a Muslim man near Akkaraipattu Asha school Wednesday night around 8:00 p.m., Akkaraipattu police said.
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Nimalarajan remembered in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 October 2005, 15:54 GMT]
Journalists and academicians Wednesday addressing the fifth death anniversary of late journalist Mr.Mylvaganam Nimalarajan held at the Media and Research centre of the Jaffna University appealed to the government to take steps to bring the culprits of the murder before court of law without any further delay, attendees to the event said. The case filed in the court was struck off from the call roll after some months.
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Grama Sevaka officer shot dead in Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 October 2005, 13:05 GMT]
A Grama Sevaka (village level) officier, Mr. Perera Weerasingham, 53, was shot and killed in Kankankulam, 18 km northwest of Vavuniya town, Vavuniya Police said. The GS of Kankankulam village was on his way home from work in a motorbike when two unidentified motorbike-riding gunmen gunned him down on Poovarasankulam - Chettikulam Road 4:45 p.m., police said.
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Sri Lankan UAV comes down in Vanni

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 October 2005, 10:01 GMT]
An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) launched from the Joseph camp in Vavuniya for surveillance mission into the Liberation Tigers controlled area has come down in Vanni Wednesday afternoon, sources in Kilinochchi said. A UAV was seen coming down in Vignanikulam between 9th Mile and Karappukuththi, around 20 km northeast of Omanthai, according to civilian sources in Vanni. Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) sources in Colombo also confirmed that an UAV was missing.
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Monsoon rains damage refugee shelters

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 October 2005, 01:33 GMT]
Tsunami affected families living in temporary shelters in several parts of the Trincomalee district are facing another displacement with the looming monsoon rains and associated flooding that will make the temporary shelters uninhabitable. Floodwaters have already entered several temporary shelters in the north of Trincomalee town due to heavy rainfall in the district Monday night, non-governmental organization sources said.
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Police constables shot in Kaluwanchikudy, one dead

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 14:02 GMT]
A Sri Lankan police constable was killed and another was wounded in Kaluthavalai, 28 km south of Batticaloa town Tuesday around 4:00 p.m. Two motorbike-riding gunmen shot at the policemen who were also riding in a motorbike.
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Nimalarajan's fifth anniversary commemorated

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 11:28 GMT]
Fifth death anniversary of Mr.Mylvaganam Nimalarajan a BBC reporter in Jaffna who was shot dead by suspected members of a Tamil para-military group on October 19, 2000 was commemorated in an event held at the Offices of the International Students Union located in Nallur Jaffna. Journalist Thavachelvan presided the event.
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Rajapakse manifesto released

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 10:52 GMT]
Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, presidential candidate of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) released his manifesto at an event held in the BMICH at an event held Tuesday morning in the Bandaranaike International Memorial Conference Hall (BMICH). The manifesto said that an ultimate solution to the ethnic crisis could only be reached through negotiations and not through war and that a settlement based on a unitary state is the basis to the ethnic crisis.
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Emergency rule in Sri Lanka extended

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 07:12 GMT]
Sri Lanka's parliament Tuesday evening adopted a motion to extend the State of Emergency for another month by a majority of sixty-one votes. Eighty parliamentarians of the ruling party and the main opposition UNP voted for the motion. Nineteen MPs voted against. This is the second extension of the State of Emergency which was reintroduced August 13 following the killing of Mr.Lakshman Kadirgamar on August 12 night, parliamentary sources said.
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Policeman shot dead in Puttalam

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 06:24 GMT]
Two motorbike-riding gunmen, stopped by the Sri Lankan police Monday night at a checkpoint in Puttalam, shot and killed a police constable and escaped leaving behind their motorbike 50 meters away from the ckeckpoint. The incident took place in front of a Mariyamman temple on Puttalam -Mannar road around 8:00 p.m. Monday.
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Epidemic among tsunami affected families in Trinco

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 05:59 GMT]
Measles, a virus infection is on the increase among tsunami-displaced families sheltered in temporary structures at Kallady in Eachchilampathu division in Trincomalee district, health offcials in the eastern port town said.
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Father of LTTE members shot in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 04:49 GMT]
Two motorbike-riding gunmen shot and seriously wounded Mr. Velupillai Kathirgamathamby, 49, Tuesday morning on Hospital Road in the heart of Batticaloa town. Velupillai, whose sons are in the LTTE, works at a cafe close to the Batticaloa Post office, sources in the town said. The unidentified gunmen shot Velupillai while he was on his way to work at 6:50 a.m.
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Constitutionality of Economic Powers Act challenged in US Court

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 October 2005, 00:05 GMT]
The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR), non-profit legal organization based in New York, is expected to file a case in US Courts against provisions in the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) that criminalize contributions of "goods or services" to designated foreign terrorist groups. CCR represents Humanitarian Law Project, a human rights organization, and several Tamil- American organizations that seek to support the lawful activities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka, especially in areas affected by the 2004 tsunami.
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New Norwegian ministers named

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 October 2005, 15:11 GMT]
The new Norwegian Prime Minister Mr. Jens Stotenberg, presented Monday the ministerial portfolios in his new "Red-Green-alliance" Government to the Norwegian King Harald V. The New Norwegian Foreign Minister is Jonas Gahr Støre, 45, the Secretary General of the Norwegian Red Cross and a close confidante of the Labour Party president and the new Prime Minister Stoltenberg. Mr. Erik Solheim, 50, the Special Envoy to Sri Lanka is the new Development Minister.
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‘Dengue Free City’ campaign launched in Trinco

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 October 2005, 11:27 GMT]
’Dengue Free City’ campaign was launched in Trincomalee and its suburbs by the Medical Officer of Health's office (MOH) and the Trincomalee Urban Council. The inaugural event was held at Trincomalee Town Hall during the weekend.
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Armed men enter Colombo weekly press, set fire, warn employees

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 October 2005, 07:47 GMT]
A group of seven unidentified men, armed with batons and swords, entered the printing press of the English weekly, the Sunday Leader, published from Colombo at around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and threatened the employees. The intruders set fire to bundles of papers. The editor of the weekly Mr. Lasantha Wickramathunga said that the manger of the press was assaulted was warned of dire consequences if he continued to print the paper. The Sunday Leader has been a critical voice towards the governments in Colombo from the time the paper started publication in the mid 90s.
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33,000 monitors to be on duty on SL presidential poll day

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 October 2005, 06:09 GMT]
About 33 000 international and local monitors are to be deployed on the presidential election day in all parts of the Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the Centre For Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) is holding discussion with the Department of Election to request international monitors of SAARC countries, sources said.
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SLA soldiers, gunmen clash in Valaichenai, civilians injured

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 October 2005, 17:03 GMT]
Two civilians and two Sri Lanka Army soldiers were seriously injured in Sunkankerny in Valaichenai Sunday evening. The soldiers were wounded when a group of unidentified gunmen launched an ambush on an SLA patrol returning to Kinniyadi military camp, 30 km north of Batticaloa town. The SLA soldiers, who exchanged gunfire with the ambushing gunmen for 30 minutes from 6:30 p.m., continued to fire at random for two hours, civilian sources said. Two civilians wounded in the gunfire were rushed to Valaichenai hospital and later transferred to Batticaloa Hospital in serious condition, hospital sources said.
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Wickremasinghe addresses rallies in Trinco, Kinniya

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 October 2005, 15:57 GMT]
Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, presidential candidate of the United National Party (UNP) Sunday addressed two election rallies, one in Trincomalee town and other in Kinniya in support of his candidature. Mr.Rauff Hakim, Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) also addressed these meeting along with Mr. Wickremasinghe. Trincomalee meeting was held Sunday morning and Kinniya in the evening.
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SL police arrests muslim woman in Valaichenai

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 October 2005, 15:32 GMT]
A muslim woman was arrested for allegedly possessing two handgrenades in Valaichenai. Police searched the residence of Mrs. Mohammadu Thasin Amma Narchi, 42, on Hairath Mosque Road in Valaichenai and discovered two grenades that were burried inside the premises. The arrest was made Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
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Consortium distributes leaflets for Trinco Resurgence Convention

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 October 2005, 12:26 GMT]
Consortium of Tamil organizations in Trincomalee began distributing leaflets announcing the Tamil Resurgence Convention scheduled to be held on 22 October Saturday at the Children's Park in front of the Youth Cultural Hall, from 9 a.m. till 12 noon, sources in Trinco said.
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"Tin bomb" diffused in Colombo

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 October 2005, 08:08 GMT]
A "tin bomb" was discovered and diffused by the Sri Lanka Army soldiers on Ferguson Road, Colombo-15, Sunday morning, police said. The detonator of the bomb, with a 50 meters long wire, was disconnected by the bomb squad of the Sri Lanka Army, relocated to Modera beach and exploded. The incident took place around 8:30 a.m. Sunday.
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Rajapakse rejects self-determination, slams foreign intervention

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 October 2005, 01:38 GMT]
In his much-anticipated Presidential election manifesto Mahinda Rajapakse said he would hold talks with the Liberation Tigers on “ending separatism, disarming and [their] entering the democratic process.” In his manifesto, details of which were published in the Sunday Times this week, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) candidate said he hoped that in forging a solution to the ‘crisis in the north and east’ to follow “the theme of undivided country, consensus of the majority and peace with dignity.”
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CFA has failed to advance peace-Sampanthan

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 October 2005, 16:30 GMT]
The ceasefire (CFA) agreement signed by the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) in the year 2002 with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam because of the military strength of the LTTE in the battlefield has not helped the Tamil speaking people to achieve their political aspirations even after four years, said Mr.R.Sampanthan, Tamil National Alliance parliamentary group leader and Trincomalee district parliamentarians addressing an awareness meeting in regard to the proposed Tamil National Resurgence Convention which is to be held on October 22, sources said.
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Chandrasekaran meets Thamilchelvan

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 October 2005, 16:25 GMT]
Leader of the Up-Country People’s Front (UPF) and Member of Parliament P. Chandrasekaran met with LTTE's Head of Political Wing, S. P. Thamilselvan, Friday at Kilinochchi for discussions on the current political situation as Sri Lanka moves closer to electing the next President of Sri Lanka.
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Military and LTTE in ‘subversive war’ – Oslo envoy

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 October 2005, 14:56 GMT]
Sri Lanka’s military and the Liberation Tigers are locked in a ‘subversive war,’ visiting Norwegian envoy Major Gen. (retd) Trond Furuhovde said Friday, calling on both sides to exercise restraint.
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White cane day in Vanni marks symbol of independence

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 October 2005, 13:33 GMT]
A cultural festival including dance, drama, and music is scheduled to take place in Puthukkudiyiruppu Central School Hall on 19 October to celebrate the "White Cane" safety day marking the progress of visually impaired children and adults in the NorthEast. In 1963, United States Congress designated 15 October as the White Cane Saftey Day callling the people to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
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SLA soldiers, gunmen clash in Eravur

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 October 2005, 11:31 GMT]
A group of unidentified gunmen and the Sri Lanka Army soldiers exchanged gunfire for more than fifteen minutes in Kaluwankerny, an SLA controlled village in Eravur, 20 km north of Batticaloa, civilian sources told TamilNet. Meanwhile, Eravur Police said SLA soldiers had rushed to the village when a Sri Lanka Police Jeep was confronted by the gunmen. More than 5 armed men were involved in the clash, police said. The gunmen who fled the scene left behind a T-56 rifle, police sources added.
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Monitors should adopt a pro-active role, says LTTE

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 October 2005, 08:53 GMT]
In a letter addressed to the Head of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Mr. Hagrup Haukland on Friday, LTTE's Political Head Mr. Thamilchelvan alluded that the Scandinavian cease fire monitors in the island should adopt a proactive role by intervening in matters that pose serious challenges to the mandate vested with the role of the SLMM. Accusing Colombo and the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) for operating with a "political agenda" to disrupt the Cease Fire Agreement and the peace process at large, the letter referred to the recent attacks on the LTTE in the east and the spate of killings of Tamil academics in Jaffna.
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German NGO distributes boats to Veloor fishermen

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 October 2005, 20:11 GMT]
Juergen Wahn Stiftung (JWS), a German based non-governmental organization recently donated another consignment of five fishing boats to families affected by tsunami in Nilaveli and Veloor villages in the Kuchchaveli division, north of Trincomalee.
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Policemen shot in Jaffna, one dead, one injured

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 October 2005, 17:07 GMT]
Two unidentified gunmen riding a motorbike shot and wounded two Sri Lankan policemen at a restaurant 50 meters away from the Nelliyady police station in Jaffna around 9:45 p.m. Friday. The wounded policemen were rushed to Palaly Military Hospital. One policeman later succumbed to his wounds at the military hospital, Sri Lanka Army sources said.
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Wickremasinghe begins election campaign in NorthEast

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 October 2005, 16:37 GMT]
Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, presidential candidate of the opposition United National Party (UNP) Friday began his election tour in the Northeast province, with first rally in Vavuniya town. Mr.Noordeen Mashor, former Minister and Vanni District Sri Lanka Muslim Congress organizer presided the meeting held at Vavuniya Urban Council grounds Friday afternoon.
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Two civilians shot in Eravur

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 October 2005, 13:08 GMT]
Two unidentified gunmen riding a motorbike fired at two civilians Friday around 1:00 p.m. in Kiran, 27 km north of Batticaloa, police said. Mr. Kanapathipillai Raju, 34, and Mr. N. N. Krishnapillai, 60, were admitted to Batticaloa Hospital.
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Amparai pre-school teachers receive Bicycles

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 October 2005, 11:03 GMT]
Save the Children organization in Amparai district donated more than 50 new bicycles to preschool teachers as part of the Pre-School development project at an event held Wednesday in Attalaichenai.
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SL police arrest 48 Tamil workers in Polannaruwa

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 October 2005, 10:36 GMT]
Fourty-eight Tamil persons, all rice mill workers, were arrested by Sri Lankan police in a cordon and search operation Thursday evening. Police sources said that they got a tip-off alleging that Liberation Tigers cadres have infiltrated the area. More than 500 policemen participated in the search operation. Polannaurwa police sources said that the arrested men were released Friday after registration and documentation of their identities.
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SLA Lance Corporal reported missing in Eravur

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 October 2005, 09:43 GMT]
A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Lance Corporal was missing from his sentry post at Kiran in Eruvur since Monday, October 10, police said. Lance Corporal S. M. Miltan, 28, was attached to Kumburumoolai SLA camp located in Valaichenai in Batticaloa district. Two Tamil civilians were arrested on Friday for inquiries, Police said.
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SLA soldier shot dead in Eravur

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 October 2005, 09:28 GMT]
A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier, shot and wounded when unidentified attackers fired at an SLA convoy patrolling at Santhiveli in Eravur around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, succumbed to his gunshot injuries at Polannaruwa hospital.
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Funeral for Kopay principal held

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 October 2005, 02:53 GMT]
Funeral for the slain Principal of Kopay Christian College, Mr Sivakadadcham, was held in Kopay Thursday. Students, public and School principals, teachers paid their last respects during the funeral ceremony at his Kopay residence and when the coffin was taken to Kopay Hindu cemetary in procession for cremation, sources said. Mr Sivakadadcham was gunned down by unknown assailants in front of his house Tuesday night.
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Vanni bank awards prizes to thrifty children

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 October 2005, 01:54 GMT]
Officers of the Social Economic Development (SED) bank awarded prizes for 127 children who managed to save more than Rs 2000/- in their piggy banks, as part of the bank's "Future charm" savings project in an event held at the Pradeshya Sabha building in Puthukkudiyiruppu Mullaitivu district at 10.30 a.m. Thursday.
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Ian Martin meets Thamilchelvan, Heads of Police, Judiciary

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 October 2005, 00:37 GMT]
Former President of Amnesty International and Human Rights expert, Mr Ian Martin, met with Head of the LTTE Political Wing, S P Thamilchelvan, Head of Tamileelam Judiciary, Mr Pararajasingham and Head of Tamileelam Police, Mr Nadesan, separately in Kilinochchi Thursday to discuss matters related to strengthening human rights structures in the NorthEast, sources in Kilinochchi said.
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Trinco prepares to hold Resurgence Convention

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 October 2005, 16:54 GMT]
The Tamil National Resurgence Conventions (TNRC) are being held in the northeast province at district level to urge the international community to recognize the self determination right of Tamil people as Sri Lankan government has failed to find a satisfactory political solution to the Tamil national question, said Mr.R.Sampanthan, Trincomalee district parliamentarian and the parliamentary group leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) addressing one in a series of awareness meetings in Trincomalee during the weekend. The convention is to be held in Trincomalee on 22 October at the Youth Playground, from 9 a.m. till 12 noon.
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Furuhovde, Thamilchelvan meet in Kilinochchi

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 October 2005, 11:26 GMT]
Norwegian delegation led by former Head of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) and Norwegian Special Representative, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Trond Furuhovde met with an LTTE delegation led by LTTE's Political Head, Mr. S. P. Thamilchelvan, in LTTE Peace Secretariat in Kilinochchi Thursday between 10:30 a.m and 12:30 a.m. Discussions focussed on the deterioting situation on the ground and the urgent need to reverse the trend by strengthening the implementation of the Cease Fire Agreement, sources in Kilinochchi said.
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NESOHR releases 26 underage youths

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 October 2005, 11:02 GMT]
Twenty six underage youths who had volunteered to join the Liberation Tigers were released to their parents in the presence of Ian Martin, former President of Amnesty International and Human Rights consultant, by Rev M X Karunaratnam at the North East Secretariat on Human Rights (NESOHR) building in Karadippoku Junction, Kilinochchi Thursday 10.30am, sources said.
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LTTE confers "Tamil National Patriot" title on Sivakadadcham

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 October 2005, 01:10 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) conferred the title "Tamil national patriot" on Mr. Nadaraja Sivakadadcham, Principal of Kopay Christian College, who was shot dead Tuesday night at his residence in Jaffna by unknown gunmen. This was revealed in a statement issued by the LTTE Jaffna district political secretariat located in LTTE held Pallai division in Jaffna district Wednesday.
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Kumbam festival held in Trinco town

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 October 2005, 00:06 GMT]
The annual Kumbam festival at the conclusion of the Navarathiri was held in Trincomalee town Wednesday evening till midnight. Kumbam festival, unique to Trincomalee, was first introduced in Trincomalee by Indian (Punjabi) troops brought by the British to construct the naval dockyard after they captured Sri Lanka (then Ceylon).
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Operation USA donates learning materials to Kallady students

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 October 2005, 19:47 GMT]
Mr. Richard M.Walden, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Operation USA, a non-governmental organization in America visited Kallady, a remote fishing hamlet in Eachchilampathu division, down south of Trincomalee district and handed over a consignment of learning materials to about 175 students affected by war and tsunami. The Tamil Rehabilitation Organization sponsored the event, which was held at Kallady Sri Neeliamman Koviladi, Tuesday.
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SLN arrests two Tamil youths in Talaimannar

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 October 2005, 17:26 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Tuesday morning arrested two Tamil youths Mr.Yogarajah Prince Ruchinik (22) of Palaly, Jaffna and Mr.Sivapatham Shankar (26) of Sivan Kovil Road, Chavakachcheri when they were seen in a coconut estate in Talaimannar. The youths had told the SLN personnel that they had left Rameswaram in South India by boat and landed in Talaimannar coast on Monday night. The SLN handed over the youths to the Mannar Police for further investigation.
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LTTE's auxilliary force cadre shot dead in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 October 2005, 11:33 GMT]
A cadre of Liberation Tigers National Auxilliary Force, Mr. Rasalingam Pugalenthiran, was shot and killed Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. by a group of men wearing military uniforms, according to Batticaloa District Political Head of the LTTE, Mr. Ilanthairayan (Marshall). The gunmen had moved beyond the no-man zone and fired at Pugalenthiran, Ilanthirayan told TamilNet.
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Hindus celebrate Navarathri festival

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 October 2005, 11:04 GMT]
Hindus across NorthEast and other regions of Sri Lanka concluded celebrations of the nine-day 'Navarathiri' (nine nights) festival Tuesday. 'Navarathiri' is an annual festival celebrated by Hindus across the world, especially in India and Sri Lanka, where prayers are held for first three nights for Goddess ‘Thurgai’ (bravery), second three nights for Goddess ‘Lakshmi’ (wealth) and the final three nights for Goddess ‘Saraswathy’ (education).
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Jaffna Central College Principal shot, succumbs to wounds

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 October 2005, 11:02 GMT]
The Principal of the Jaffna Central college, Mr. Kanapathy Rajadurai, was shot in front of the main entrance of the Weerasingham Hall in Jaffna town on Wednesday at 3:45 p.m. Mr. Rajadurai was rushed to the Jaffna hospital in a critical condition and later succumbed to his wounds around 5:00 p.m.
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Students protest over Principal's killing

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 October 2005, 10:44 GMT]
Hundreds of students of Kopay Christian College blocked the Jaffna-Point Pedro roads and Kaithady-Urumpirai road at Kopay junction from 12 noon Wednesday and sat in protest condemning the killing of their principal Mr. Nadarajah Sivakadadcham.
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Hisbullah to rejoin SLMC

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 October 2005, 05:44 GMT]
Mr.M.L.A.M.Hisbullah who entered parliamentary politic through the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC), and later left it due to difference of opinion with the leadership has decided to rejoin the party. Mr.Hisbullah is to formally announce his political decision Wednesday at a media conference at Kattankudi, Muslim dominated town and his home political base in the eastern province, SLMC sources said.
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SLA complicit in Jaffna killings, Ilamparithi tells SLMM

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 October 2005, 01:25 GMT]
Deputy Head of the Jaffna office of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM), Mr Jorn and member of SLMM, Mr Matti, met with a delegation of LTTE led by its Head of Jaffna Political Wing, C Ilamparithi at the political office of the LTTE in Pallai, Monday, sources in Jaffna said. The discussions centered on the increasing number of killings in Jaffna district.
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Trinco Fine Art Institute holds annual festival

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 October 2005, 00:41 GMT]
Trincomalee Fine Art Institute held its annual Art Festival-2005 during the weekend in Sri Muthucumaraswami Kovil Wedding Hall. The Sri Muthucumaraswami Thevasthanam runs the Institute free of charge for courses in fine art such as carnatic music and oriental dance to Tamil children in Trincomalee.
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Tamil activist shot dead in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 October 2005, 17:13 GMT]
The principal of Kopay Christian College, Mr. Nadararajah Sivakadadcham, was shot and killed Tuesday night by unidentified gunmen at his residence, civilian sources said. The fifty-nine-years old school principal was a known social activist and the Kopay Division organisor of Tamil Resurgence Task Force. Mr. Sivakadadcham organised the Tamil Women Resurgence Day events that were held in Kopay Monday.
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Southern journalists donate learning materials

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 October 2005, 17:02 GMT]
The group of southern journalists, including three Buddhist monks at the conclusion of their 4-day goodwill mission donated a consignment of goods, including learning and teaching materials, to the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) at an event held at the Trincomalee district office of the TRO Tuesday morning. Southern journalists requested the TRO officials in Trincomalee to distribute these materials to war and tsunami affected students in LTTE held areas in the district.
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CWC ministers resign from UPFA cabinet

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 October 2005, 16:30 GMT]
Parliamentarians Mr.Muthu Sivalingam and Mr.M.S.Sellasamy of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) Monday evening handed over their resignation letters to Mr.W.J.S.Karunaretna, Secretary to the President from the ministry posts. Mr.Muthu Sivalingam was holding the post of Minister of Community Development and Estate Sector Infrastructure and Mr.Sellasamy the post of Deputy Minister.
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Arrested Sri Lanka police produced in Tamileelam Court

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 October 2005, 10:58 GMT]
Three members of the Sri Lanka Police arrested for tresspassing into Liberation Tigers held area in Mannar were produced at the Kilinochchhi district Tamileelam courts Tuesday morning, sources in Kilinochchi said.
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Court orders final police report on Sivaram murder

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 October 2005, 10:48 GMT]
Ms Champa Janaki Rajaratne, Kaduwela Magistrate Tuesday directed the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) of the Sri Lanka Police to submit full report on the investigation held into the murder of popular Journalist and senior editor at TamilNet, Mr Dharmaretnam Sivaram, with out any excuse on the next date, October 25. The only suspect Mr. Sriskandarajah arrested in connection with the murder was not brought to courts Tuesday when the case was taken for further inquiry, legal sources said.
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Abducted EPDP member found dead in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 October 2005, 10:45 GMT]
Mr.Sivalingam Vilvarajah alias Senthil (35), member of the Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), a constituent of the United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government, was found dead with gunshot injuries Tuesday morning at Aathimoddai junction located about 10 km off north of the Trincomalee town along Trincomalee-Kuchchaveli main road, Uppuveli Police said.
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Armed men, LTTE cadres clash in Vavunathivu

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 October 2005, 08:01 GMT]
A group of men in military fatigues launched an ambush on an LTTE convoy in Vavunathivu, 5 kilometers west of Batticaloa Monday night. LTTE sources in the East said three of their cadres sustained injuries in the counterstrike. The clash took place at the entrance to the LTTE controlled area in Vavunathivu around 10:00 p.m. on Monday. Vavunathivu is located 5 km west of Batticaloa.
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Appeal Court issues notice on AG in case against JVP leader

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 October 2005, 18:19 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Court of Appeal Monday issued notice on the Attorney General to appear in court on 25 October and state his position on the Writ Application filed by Dr. Kumar Rupesinghe of the Foundation for Co-Existence (FCE), seeking an order directing the Inspector General of Police to arrest and charge Mr.Wimal Weerasinghe, parliamentary group leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) for alleged offences of criminal intimidation, insult and annoyance, legal sources said.
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JVP's economic policy criticized by Sri Lanka's FM

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 October 2005, 15:19 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister and the brother of SL President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunge, Mr. Anura Bandaranaike, slammed at the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna's (JVP) economic policy and their stance with regard to the scuttled P-TOMS at a press briefing held at his official residence Visumpaya Monday morning.
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EPDP Pottuvil Head shot and killed

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 October 2005, 13:02 GMT]
An unidentified gunman shot and killed the Pottuvil organisor of the paramilitary Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) Monday around 5:00 p.m. Mr. Abubhakkar Sagabdeen, 43, who had gone alone to a cafe without his usual police escort, was gunned down by the attacker who was riding a bicycle police sources said.
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Sniper-rifle, ammunition found under bridge in Chilaw

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 October 2005, 12:56 GMT]
Police in Chilaw recovered a parcel containing sniper rifle, several other arms and ammunition under a bridge in the Maha Oya area around 8:30 am Monday after receiving a tip-off from a civilian, police sources said.
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Furuhovde arrives in Colombo

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 October 2005, 12:55 GMT]
The Special Representative of the Norwegian Government and former Head of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) Major General (Ret.) Trond Furuhovde arrived in Colombo Monday from Oslo to evaluate the current state of the ceasefire.
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WFP officials meet LTTE

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 October 2005, 11:14 GMT]
Executive Director of Rome Head quarters of World Food Program (WFP) met with a delegation of Liberation Tigers led by Head of LTTE Political Wing, S P Thamilchelvan, at the LTTE Peace Secretariat Monday morning, sources in Kilinochchi said.
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Maruthankerni fisherman missing

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 October 2005, 10:55 GMT]
Vetharniyam Sri Jegan, a fisherman from Maruthankerni in Jaffna district, failed to return Monday morning after he went fishing Sunday night, sources said. Several fishermen from Vathirayan area returned to shore Monday morning with damaged engines and boats after being attacked by Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) soldiers in mid-sea along the northern coast, according to local residents.
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Meesalai Spiritual Refuge ransacked, buildings damaged

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 October 2005, 10:37 GMT]
Buildings belonging to Sri Kayathiri Kamagodi spritual refuge ('Aachramam') in Meesalai in Thenmaradchy Jaffna, run by Swami Rajkumar, were damaged and the properties inside the refuge set on fire by an unknown group of persons Monday morning, sources said.
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Southern journalists on goodwill mission to Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 October 2005, 02:15 GMT]
About fifty sinhalese journalists and three Buddhist monks from Hambantota, Galle and Matara from south of Sri Lanka arrived in Trincomalee Saturday evening on a four-day good-will mission to obtain first hand information about problems faced mainly by Tamil people and others in the Trincomalee district and in areas held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The National Peace Council (NPC) of Sri Lanka organized this visit, sources said.
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Two persons abducted, one dead, other injured in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Sunday, 09 October 2005, 19:44 GMT]
Mr. Muthulingam Chandrakumar (24) of Alvai North was found Sunday early morning with injuries and his hands tied in an abandoned land in Vadamaradchchi area. Nelliyady Police on receipt of information rushed to the site and removed the youth to the Point Pedro Base Hospital, police said.
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Jaffna Municipal council asked to resurrect Sankilian memorial

[TamilNet, Sunday, 09 October 2005, 10:33 GMT]
President of the Nallur Sankilian Community center, K Pulendrarasa, and more than one hundred members of the public met with Commissioner of the Jaffna Municipal Council C Sivagnanam in the community hall in Nallur Jaffna to discuss the lead role the Council should take in implementing community projects including the resurrection of the memorial for the Jaffna's last king Sankilian, sources in Jaffna said.
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Cycle of violence must end, LTTE tells SLMM

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 October 2005, 16:42 GMT]
Pointing out that political killings "meticulously planned to apportion blame on [the LTTE]" in military occupied areas have reached a climax and that this "political vendetta" is claiming lives of innocent people, the Liberation Tigers in a letter to Head of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission [SLMM] Mr Hagrup Haukland, requested the SLMM to "act resolutely to end this cycle of violence and help save innocent lives and the integrity of the CFA."
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CWC, SLMC, UPF leaders to address UNP election rally

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 October 2005, 06:43 GMT]
The United National Party (UNP) will hold a presidential election rally, the first to be held after handing in nominations, in the hill town of Kandy, Saturday evening. UNP presidential candidate Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe with the leaders of the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) and the Upcountry People's Front (UPF) will address the meeting, political sources in Kandy said.
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TRO releases tsunami report

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 October 2005, 17:08 GMT]
Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), a Sri Lanka Government registered NGO working exclusively in the NorthEast, released its six-month report this week on TRO's tsunami activities. TRO was praised by many international relief organizations and media for its effectiveness in attending to the people affected by the disaster.
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Gunmen attack Tamil youths in East, two killed, eight wounded

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 October 2005, 16:36 GMT]
Two Tamil youths, one of them a 14 year old boy, were killed and eight others were seriously wounded when unidentified gunmen opened fire and charged grenade at them Friday around 6:45 p.m. in Valaichenai. The victims, a group of young carpenters and masons, were attacked when they went to collect their daily wages at a retail shop at Fourth Cross Street at Vinayagapuram, 32 km north of Batticaloa town. The attackers fled the area on push bicycles, eyewitnesses told TamilNet.
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NorthEast teachers, principals felicitated on World Teachers Day

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 October 2005, 11:17 GMT]
131 teachers, 35 principals and 14 in-service advisors selected from all the twenty four education zones in the eight districts of the northeast province were felicitated for their services towards the development of education, at an event organized by the Provincial Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Colombo Ministry of Education and held Thursday at Trincomalee St.Mary's Girls College auditorium, sources said.
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Court reprimands Mannar Police for violating Islamic custom

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 October 2005, 10:45 GMT]
Mannar Magistrate Mr.N.M.M.Abdullah Friday reprimanded the Mannar Police for taking into custody a Muslim woman while observing the islamic ritual " Iththa" after the death of her husband. The Magistrate immediately released the woman who was produced in courts by the Mannar Police to given evidence in the murder of her husband Mr Ramesh Rajah (42) and put off the inquest proceedings for November 11, legal sources said.
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School re-opens in Thenmaradchchi HSZ after six years

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 October 2005, 10:18 GMT]
Eluthumaduval North Government Tamil Mixed School located in the high security zone of Thenmaradchchi in Jaffna reopened in its own buildings, after six years. Students, teachers and well-wishers led by the Principal entered the school buildings Thursday and cleaned the class-rooms, sources said.
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Hindu Cultural Ministry Official Shot Dead in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 October 2005, 06:50 GMT]
A forty year old man was shot dead, Friday morning, while returning home after dropping his son at school. Kanthasamy Senthilkumaran was on his motorbike when he was attacked on the Sebastian Road around 9:15 a.m, near Bishop’s House, Jaffna, Police said.
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Norwegian Special Representative Furuhovde to visit Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 October 2005, 04:04 GMT]
Major General (ret'd) Trond Furuhovde, former head of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission, will visit Sri Lanka on Monday as a Special Reprsentative of the Norwegian Government to consult with the parties. As a meeting between the Government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam to discuss the implementation of the Ceasefire Agreement is not likely to occur in the near future, the visit of the Special Representative would provide an opportunity for both parties to propose measures for strengthening the implementation of the agreement, a press release issued by the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo said Friday.
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Rajapakse, Wickremasinghe, eleven others contest presidential election

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 October 2005, 03:50 GMT]
Mr.Mahinda Rajapakse, Prime Minister and Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, UNP leader and eleven others from other parties handed in their nominations to contest the forthcoming presidential election, which is fixed for November 17. Election Commissioner Mr.Dayananda Dissanayake issued a statement in this regard around 11.30 a. m. following the closure of nominations and after the expiry of the time for objections, election department sources said.
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EU’s "criminalizing of Tamil cause hurts peace process" - paper

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 October 2005, 00:47 GMT]
The European Union’s one-sided criticism of the Liberation Tigers for the ongoing violence in the east, has “reduced the complex security milieu in Sri Lanka to the dangerously simple logic of petulant aggression on the LTTE’s part,” the Tamil Guardian said in its editorial this week.
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Trinco TRO felicitates Sinhala, Muslim, Tamil pre-school teachers

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 October 2005, 00:05 GMT]
About six hundred pre-school teachers from all communities, Sinhalese, Muslims and Tamils, in the Trincomalee district were felicitated by the Pre-School Educational Development Centre (PSEDC) of the Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) at an event held Thursday in Trincomalee New Silver Star Hotel to mark the World Teachers' Day.
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Three injured in grenade explosion in Trinco

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 October 2005, 16:49 GMT]
A Sri Lanka Army soldier, a police constable and a civilian were injured when unidentified persons lobbed a grenade into the checkpoint which is located in the heart of the Trincomalee town along the Sea View Road, around 8.30p.m., Thursday.
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EPDP cadre shot dead in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 October 2005, 10:24 GMT]
Unidentified armed men shot dead Mr.Kingsely Weeraratne, alias 'Suriya', a senior member of the paramilitary group, EPDP, at Palaiyootru, a suburb in Trincomalee town, around 10.45 a.m., Thursday.
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Norwegian Ambassador meets LTTE Political Head

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 October 2005, 09:30 GMT]
Norwegian Ambassador Hans Brattskar met with LTTE Head of the Political Wing, Mr S P Thamilchelvan, at the Liberation Tigers Peace Secretariat, Kilinochchi, Thursday, sources in Kilinochchi said. The discussions centered on the recent EU Statement and its effect on the peace process. Mr. Brattskar also explored the possibility of resuming peace negotiations early.
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Time bomb explodes in EPDP vehicle in Colombo

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 October 2005, 05:20 GMT]
A time bomb placed inside the vehicle of Eelam People Democratic Party (EPDP) official Mr Anthonipillai Jeyaraja, a personal assistant of EPDP leader Mr. Douglas Devananda, exploded around 7:45 a.m. Thursday, Police said. The explosion occured at No. 16 Nelson Place Wellawatte, north of Colombo. A clerical staff member of Devananda's Ministry, Mr Sudarsing Vijayakanth, 26, sustained minor injuries in the explosion, sources said.
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Jaffna Campus holds convocation

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 October 2005, 03:29 GMT]
The twenty fourth convocation at the Jaffna Campus was held Friday at 9.00 am at Kailasapath Hall presided by the Vice Chancellor of the University Professor S Mohanadas. Chancellor Professor M Sivasuriya awarded the degree certificates.
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CTTU prepares for full-scale trade union action

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 October 2005, 21:00 GMT]
Mr.T.Mahasivam, General Secretary of the Ceylon Tamil Teachers Union (CTTU) said Wednesday that Tamil medium teachers would launch continuous strike from October 24 if the government fails to provide positive response to their 25 demands before 20 October. The CTTU has already submitted its 25 demands to Ministry Secretary Dr.Ms Tara de Mel in regard to the development of Tamil medium education in the northeast and to ensure equal opportunity in education to Tamil medium students.
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UPF to support Ranil

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 October 2005, 20:55 GMT]
The Upcountry People's Front (UPF) Wednesday announced that it has decided to support Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe in the forthcoming general election. Mr.P.Chandrasekaran, Leader of the UPF told media persons in Colombo that he held several rounds of talks with UNP leaders, including Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe regarding UPF proposals to be included in the new government agenda. He released party's 30 proposals, Wednesday.
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NorthEast sportsmen, women felicitated

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 October 2005, 11:19 GMT]
Youths from NorthEast who were successful in sports events in Sri Lanka wide competitions were felicitated in an event held at the Thuyavan Instititue of Politics in Kilinochchi 10 a.m. Tuesday, sources said. "Our movement's and our Leader's national priority is to setup structures and an environment that nurture educational and sporting talent of our youth," said S P Thamilchelvan speaking at the event.
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SLMC to support Wickremasinghe

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 October 2005, 11:02 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Wednesday announced its support to Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, UNP leader, in the forthcoming Sri Lanka presidential election. Mr.Rauff Hakim, leader of the SLMC addressing a crowded media conference held at party headquarters "Darussalam" said a consensus has been reached between the leaderships of SLMC and United National Party on several issues relating to the welfare of the Muslim people.
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Military trained academic staff parade held in Muttur east

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 October 2005, 10:57 GMT]
The passing out parade of the first batch of academic staff of schools in the LTTE controlled Muttur east area, who underwent military training as part of the LTTE auxilliary unit, was held Tuesday evening at Sampoor. The unit consisted of ninety two members, sources said.
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Kumarappa, Pulendran Eighteenth anniversary held in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 October 2005, 10:27 GMT]
The eighteenth death anniversary of senior commanders of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam Lt. Colonel Pulendran and Lt. Colonel Kumarappa and ten other cadres was observed in Munai in Vadamaradchchy, Jaffna Tuesday morning, sources in Jaffna said. The event took place in the Sri Lanka Army controlled area. Munai region Leader of auxilliary unit of the LTTE naval wing, Pathinather presided the event.
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Businessman in Uduvil shot dead

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 October 2005, 07:48 GMT]
A video shop proprietor was shot dead Tuesday night at Dutch road, Uduvil by unidentified gunmen. Rasarathinam Rajavinothan, 30, was returning home from his shop when he was waylaid by gunmen who shot him in his head.
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NE Tamil medium teachers strike, schools closed

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 October 2005, 05:20 GMT]
About twenty thousand Tamil medium teachers including principals in the northeast province Wednesday did not report for duty sending a sick note responding to the call of the Ceylon Tamil Teachers' Union (CTTU) as a token protest against the government's failure to take prompt steps to implement several demands which included the immediate withdrawal of government troops located within fifty meters from schools and to hand over all schools which are located within the high security zones to the Department of Education.
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CWC ministers to resign, extend support to Ranil

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 October 2005, 05:13 GMT]
Mr.Armugam Thondaman, CWC leader said at a media briefing Wednesday morning that the party's two ministers would tender their resignations from the UPFA government. He said the CWC has decided to support UNP leader Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe in the forthcoming presidential election. The CWC further announced the 19 proposals that should be included in the agenda by the new Government. One of the proposals has urged the new government to resolve the ethnic problem through extensive power-sharing mechanism. Mr.Thondaman said that the UNP has accepted the 19 demands of the CWC in this regard.
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UPFA 2006 budget with 23% increase in defence expenditure

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 October 2005, 04:29 GMT]
Sri Lanka's Finance Minister Dr.Sarath Amunugama Tuesday tabled the Appropriations Bill for the next year budget of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA), which has made provision for the allocation of 69 billion Rupees for defence expenditure. This is an increase of 13 billion rupees (23.2 percent) compared to defence allocation for 2005.
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CWC to announce its stand on presidential election

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 October 2005, 04:16 GMT]
The Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC), leading political party in the hill country representing upcountry Tamils is to officially announce its position in the forthcoming presidential election Wednesday morning at a media briefing held at Trans Asia Hotel, Colombo. The CWC is a constituent of the ruling United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) government.
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Unidentified gunmen abduct prisoners in Muttur

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 October 2005, 14:56 GMT]
Unidentified gunmen Tuesday morning around 10.55 a.m. waylaid a government passenger bus bound for Muttur town at 59th mile post on Muttur Batticaloa highway and abducted four suspects two Tamils and two Muslims who were taken by prison officials from Trincomalee remand prison to be produced in the Muttur Magistrate Court in connection with criminal cases. Later two Muslims suspects were freed but unidentified men took the Tamil suspects, Muttur Police said.
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Trincomalee children peace camp concludes

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 October 2005, 11:36 GMT]
Two day "Children Peace Camp" organized by the Centre for Performing Arts (CPA) for children of the internally displaced people sheltered in five welfare centers located in suburbs of Trincomalee town, Allesgarden, Linganagar, Manaiyaveli, Division No: 10 and Andanakulam, to mark the International Children Day held at Hindu Cultural Hall in the east port town concluded Sunday night. About two hundred children from all three communities, Tamil, Sinhalese and Muslim participated in the camp.
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Vilankulam families benefit from housing project

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 October 2005, 11:10 GMT]
Internally displaced families who fled from Vilankulam, a Tamil village located on the Trincomalee-Kandy highway about 13 km off southwest of the east port city, twenty years ago following ethnic disturbances are slowly resettling back in their own lands. The Trincomalee Rotary Club (TRC) has been implementing a low-cost housing project for these resettled families. Mr.Nihal Bogahalande, Sri Lanka's District Rotary Governor handed over the first house under this project to a beneficiary family on the twentieth anniversary of their displacement last weekend.
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Grenade lobbed at SLA sentry, one soldier injured

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 October 2005, 06:36 GMT]
An unidentified bicycle-riding man lobbed a grenade into a Sri Lanka Army sentry and road-block, police said. The incident took place at Mankerny in Valaichenai Monday around 9:30 p.m. An SLA soldier sustained serious wounds and was rushed to the Polannarwa Hospital.
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Court remands Tamil youths arrested in Trincomalee seas

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 October 2005, 21:03 GMT]
Trincomalee Magistrate Mr.S.Ramakamalan Monday ordered remand till 14th October for the four Tamil youths who were arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) when they were allegedly video-taping the Trincomalee naval headquarters. The arrested youths are from Kayts, Kopay, Mullaitivu and Uyilankulam, and their ages ranged from 19 to 29, legal sources said.
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Gunmen fire at Police Jeep, Sub-Inspector wounded

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 October 2005, 17:26 GMT]
An unidentified group of armed men fired at a Sri Lankan Police Jeep near Mandur in the east around 7:30 p.m. Monday wounding the Mandur Sub-Inspector of Police, Mr. S. Vickrama, 42, police sources said. The sub inspector was rushed to Kaluwanchikudy Hospital.
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Jewellery shop owner shot in Chunnakam

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 October 2005, 13:57 GMT]
A jewellery-shop-owner in Chunnakam, Mr. Ponnuthurai Subenthirakumar,32, was shot and wounded at Kantharodai in Chunnakam while he was returning home from work around 6:45 p.m., Chunnakam Police said.
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CWC to support Wickremasinghe for President

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 October 2005, 12:40 GMT]
The decision of the Ceylon Workers Congress led by Arumugam Thondaman to support the Presidential candidate of the UNP, Ranil Wickremasinghe, is almost conclusive, informed sources said.
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University student killed in Vadaramardchi

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 October 2005, 10:53 GMT]
A Jaffna University student and a driver of a Canter ELF truck was killed Monday morning in the Vadamaradchi area, Police said. Mr. Karthikesu Senthoorchelvan, 22, of Varany, Thenmaradchi area was the victim of the unknown attackers.
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EPDP cadre shot dead in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 October 2005, 08:24 GMT]
Mr.Krishnan Parameswaran (40), was shot and killed Monday morning around 6:30 a.m.by unidentified men who came in a motorbike. The incident took place at Puthu Road in Anaikoddai area in Jaffna district when the victim was returning home after leaving his wife in the bus stand, police said. EPDP sources in Jaffna have claimed that Mr Krishnan was an EPDP cadre.
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Father of paramilitary cadre killed in Welikanda

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 October 2005, 05:25 GMT]
Unidentified gunmen shot and killed a 45-years old man, a father of a paramilitary cadre from the Karuna Group, at his house in Kudapokkuna in Polannaruwa district, Welikanda Police said. The victim's wife was injured in the incident that took place Sunday around 9:00 p.m. Police said that the gunmen were targeting the cadre who had left the paramilitary group a few months ago.
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Aussie MP, Tamils gather in support of Tamil Resurgence

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 October 2005, 23:16 GMT]
Federal Member of Australian parliament, Ms Julie Owens, Chairman of International Commission of Jurists Justice John Dowd and several hundred Tamils from Sydney and adjoining counties participated in an event held at the Ryde Civic Center in Sydney Sunday in support of the Tamil Resurgence events being held by fellow Tamils in the NorthEast. The event was organized by the Australasian Federation of Tamil Associations (AFTA), an umbrella organization of Tamil groups in the region.
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Pongu Thamil event to be held in Trinco 22nd October

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 October 2005, 18:37 GMT]
About hundred Tamil activists and representatives of Tamil organizations attending a discussion held at Trincomalee Vigneswara Maha Vidiyalayam Sunday decided to hold the next Tamil National Resurgence Convention (Pongu Thamil) in Trincomalee town before the end of October, sources said.
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CTTU to strike on Teachers Day

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 October 2005, 18:24 GMT]
The Ceylon Tamil Teachers Union (CTTU) gave notice to Dr Tara de Mel, Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Higher education, that its members will go on one day sick leave as a token trade union action on October 5 as the Education Ministry has failed to fulfill its promises regarding its twenty five demands. The CTTU said that it will be compelled to go on continuous strike from October 24 if the demands are not met.
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Trincomalee community leaders felicitated

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 October 2005, 03:47 GMT]
Four leading citizens of Trincomalee town, three of them octogenarians who have rendered selfless services to their language, religion and community were felicitated at the 2005-Literary Festival of the Trincomalee Divisional Secretariat held Friday evening at Trincomalee Town Hall.
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Defence takes lion’s share of 2006 budget - report

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 October 2005, 03:41 GMT]
Sri Lanka’s has substantially increased its defence budget for next year to almost US$700 million, the Sunday Times said this week. The rise of over 20% comes amid a stepping up of violence in the island’s east between Army-backed paramilitaries and the Liberation Tigers.
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IOM boosts buffalo and cattle farms

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 October 2005, 17:01 GMT]
Farmers in Ampara district are rebuilding their cattle and buffalo herds in the wake of the tsunami with assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the NGO said Saturday.
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International children's day celebrated in Vanni

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 October 2005, 16:44 GMT]
Children from nine chidren's homes in Mullaitivu and Kiliochchi districts participated in International Children'day celebrations that included sports competitions and cultural events held in the Kilinochchi Central Play grounds Saturday, sources in Vanni said. Supporting events were also held in Akkarayan, Pooneryn and Vaddakachchi, according to event organizers.
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Kumaratunge leaves for Paris

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 October 2005, 12:59 GMT]
Sri Lanka's President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge left for Paris Saturday morning to attend the 33rd session of the UNESCO General Conference to be held on 3 October, sources in Colombo said. UNESCO website said "The world's Ministers of Education will meet during UNESCO's General Conference in October to explore practical ways to address Education for All challenges by building on positive examples from different parts of the world."
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NLF supports Tamil Resurgence Conventions

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 October 2005, 12:34 GMT]
The New Left Front (NLF) in a statement released Saturday in Colombo expressed its wholehearted support for the Tamil National Resurgence Convention being held in the northeast province. "We wish Tamil people to work hard for their liberation. Tamil National Resurgence Convention has been contributing very much to the Tamil liberation struggle," said Mr.Wickremabahu Karunaratne, leader of the NLF in a statement.
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UNP to hold 120 rallies after nomination day

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 October 2005, 12:30 GMT]
The United National Party (UNP) is planning to hold one hundred and twenty propaganda in support of its presidential candidate Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe between November 7 and November 15, two days ahead of the presidential poll scheduled to be held on November 17. The first meeting is be held in Kandy on November 8, UNP Deputy general Secretary Mr.Tissa Attanayake said.
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Trinco children home administrator sentenced to jail for child abuse

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 October 2005, 07:09 GMT]
Trincomalee Additional Magistrate Mr.M.Ganesharajah Friday sentenced the former administrator of the Trincomalee 'Anbu Illam', a leading children home in the eastern port town to two years rigorous imprisonment when he was found guilty for child abuse. When the case was taken up for delivering order, the prosecution informed court that the accused has gone into hiding. The Magistrate, however, delivered the order in absentia and issued open warrant to arrest the accused, legal sources said.
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SLFP to begin work on manifesto

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 October 2005, 00:28 GMT]
The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Friday appointed a nine-member committee to draft the manifesto for the presidential election at a tensed meeting presided by Sri Lanka's President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge held at the Presidential House Friday, political sources said. The Manifesto has to be ratified by the Central Committee before it is officially released.
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